St. Mary’s County Commissioner Dan Morris (R), a former law enforcement officer, advised the public Tuesday not to shoot guns into the air. His remarks came in response to recent comments by Vice President Joe Biden (D).

During a Feb. 19 during a Facebook Town Hall event, Biden said, “I said, Jill, if there’s ever a problem, just walk out on the balcony here, walk out, put that double-barrel shotgun and fire two blasts outside the house. I promise you whoever’s coming in is not going to.”

Morris said, “If you’re a citizen of St. Mary’s County, do not do that. Do not fire two rounds into the air because you’ll be responsible for what comes back down. Don’t run out on the balcony and don’t fire two shots into the air.”

Deputy Cindy Allen, public information officer for the St. Mary’s County sheriff’s office, said Thursday there are two kinds of offenses for shooting a firearm near homes.

During hunting season, hunters are not supposed to discharge their gun within 150 yards of a residential area. That can carry a $450 fine through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, she said.

If someone fires a gun in a neighborhood, “that person can be charged under Maryland law for reckless endangerment if their conduct could cause substantial injury or loss of life,” she said. That could result in either five years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.